Reynolds Foundation, Donald W.
Contact information:
1701 Village Center Circle
Las Vegas, NV 89134-6303
Phone: 702-804-6000
Fax: 702-804-6099
Email: generalquestions@dwrf.org
Website: www.dwreynolds.org
Type of foundation: Independent
Types of grants: Building/renovation, matching gifts, equipment, program.
Description: The Foundation was established in 1954 by Donald Worthington Reynolds, a media entrepreneur who founded the Donrey Media Group (now Stephens Media LLC), a Nevada-based media company that owns multiple newspapers and broadcast outlets in smaller markets across the United States. The Foundation makes grants to support:
- Aging & Quality of Life: This program focuses on strengthening the geriatric knowledge and skills of physicians who will care for the growing number of frail elders in the U.S. over the coming decades. Requests for proposals are initiated by the Foundation.
- Charitable Food Distribution: This program seeks to strengthen the charitable food distribution systems in Arkansas, Nevada and Oklahoma. Requests for proposals are initiated by the Foundation.
- Children's Discovery: This program is aimed at creating statewide networks in Arkansas, Nevada and Oklahoma, each anchored by a hub museum, to foster discovery learning for children. Requests for proposals are initiated by the Foundation.
- Grant Programs for Capital Grant Recipients: The Foundation is no longer accepting letters of inquiry or applications for the Capital Grants Program. The following grant programs are available only to previous Capital Grant recipients:
- Art Grants: These grants encourage grantees who have recently completed a Capital Grant to use art, particularly work by regional artists, to enhance the facilities constructed with the Foundation's support.
- Capital Grantee Enhancement Initiative: This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of outstanding Capital Grant recipients to serve their communities. Selected grantees that have completed projects and demonstrated a high level of impact and performance are invited to submit applications for these "enhancement grants." Many of these multi-year grants provide support to enrich existing facilities, seed new programs, improve fundraising, invest in leadership training and/or assess new program needs.
- Capstone Grants: This initiative rewards the pinnacle of performance among the Foundation's longest-standing and highest achieving Capital Grantees with building expansion grants. Support is offered by invitation only and applications will not be accepted.
- Journalism Program: The goal of this program is to enhance the quality and integrity of journalism, focusing particularly on training of journalists who serve smaller communities and on business journalism. Requests for proposals are initiated by the Foundation. Funding is given nationally.
- Special Projects: These awards fall outside of the established programs of the Foundation. Typical projects are of remarkable national importance or are tied to a unique opportunity to honor a lifetime interest held by the Foundation's founder. Proposal invitations are usually generated directly by trustees. Unsolicited proposals are rarely approved. Brief proposals may be sent to the Foundation, addressed to the attention of Special Projects.
Sample grants:
- $906,254 to Nevada Public Radio Corporation, Las Vegas, NV for restricted program fund (2008).
- $20,000 to Fort Smith Symphony Association, Fort Smith, AR toward recording a CD (2004).
- $19,600 to KLVX Channel 10, Las Vegas, NV for Ready To Learn Project (2006).
- $8,000 to Fort Smith Area Community Foundation, Fort Smith, AR for video about the U.S. Marshall's Office (2004).
Fit for public broadcasting: The Foundation was begun by a media executive and journalism is one of its stated areas of interest. Public media might also be a good fit for the Foundation's Children's Discovery program. The Foundation has made five grants for radio/television projects over the past five years, totaling $978,854.
Eligibility: Giving primarily in Arkansas, Nevada and Oklahoma for capital and planning grants. Giving nationally for cardiovascular clinic research and geriatrics training of physicians and journalism. No support for elementary or secondary education. No grants to individuals, or for continuing support, operating support or endowment funds.
Deadline: Deadlines vary by program.
How to apply: Program descriptions and guidelines should be reviewed by interested applicants. Applicants are encouraged to discuss projects/requests with Foundation staff by telephone or in writing. Initial approach should be by call or 1-2 page letter of inquiry. Application form not required. Proposals sent by fax or E-mail not considered.
Giving range: The average gift for radio/television projects is approximately $200,000. The Foundation has made gifts as high as $10 million.
Assets: $807,623,434 (2008)
Total giving: $110,375,900 (2008)
